European rifles, in my experience, tend to be more oriented towards Riflemen, than just hunters etc. They assume a reasonable baseline of knowledge and skill, and expect you to show up and do your part. Likewise they expect you to do little work on them. As an examply some companies will suggest that you even take your rifle to a gunsmith for having the bolt internals cleaned, rather than doing it yourself. It is simply a different culture, where hunting and shooting are a higher dollar issue. You don't go and buy a Savage or a Remington Express, you are expected to buy something of quality, and it is expected to work for you.
I find the Steyrs nice, the Sakos the same pretty much, and the Sig/Sauers my fav's. Certainly the europeans are motivated by thier cultural view toward hunting, and the laws that europeans have to abide with. Look at companies there offering switchable barrels, like Sauer and Blaser. Here thats a novelty, and something I have yet to see anyone really take seriously. Where as in Europe, with the stricter laws, I have known a number of europeans who take those features very seriously.
As for quality, I would willingly take a Voere, Lynx, Sako, Zoli, Steyr/Mannlicher, Sig Sauer, Heym, Blaser etc, etc, if you offered one to me.
Personally, I have had a hankering for a Sauer 202 for sometime now, one of thier Jagd Match or precision versions, in 300WM. The Sauers are IMHO, the best of the above. Thats based on some of thier features and quality. I like thier bolts, thier safeties etc. As well as the detachable mags. If/When I get around to getting one ordered, I will however likely not order a spare barrel, etc.
For me, #1 is the Sauer, either the 202 0r 205. Then the Steyrs and Sakos as a tie, but if forced to choose, I would maybe give the edge to Steyr on technical points.
I find the Steyrs nice, the Sakos the same pretty much, and the Sig/Sauers my fav's. Certainly the europeans are motivated by thier cultural view toward hunting, and the laws that europeans have to abide with. Look at companies there offering switchable barrels, like Sauer and Blaser. Here thats a novelty, and something I have yet to see anyone really take seriously. Where as in Europe, with the stricter laws, I have known a number of europeans who take those features very seriously.
As for quality, I would willingly take a Voere, Lynx, Sako, Zoli, Steyr/Mannlicher, Sig Sauer, Heym, Blaser etc, etc, if you offered one to me.
Personally, I have had a hankering for a Sauer 202 for sometime now, one of thier Jagd Match or precision versions, in 300WM. The Sauers are IMHO, the best of the above. Thats based on some of thier features and quality. I like thier bolts, thier safeties etc. As well as the detachable mags. If/When I get around to getting one ordered, I will however likely not order a spare barrel, etc.
For me, #1 is the Sauer, either the 202 0r 205. Then the Steyrs and Sakos as a tie, but if forced to choose, I would maybe give the edge to Steyr on technical points.
